Chances are you’ve heard the name Mount St. Helens before, especially if you’ve ever lived in the Pacific Northwest. The active stratovolcano is one of several in the Cascade Mountain Range just like it, but only St. Helens bears recent physical scars to prove it. The mountain stands approximately 50 miles north of Portland, Oregon, and 100 miles south of Seattle. The pale, monolithic mountain has become something of an icon of the region – similar to Mount Rainier. It is a segment of the Cascade Volcanic Arc, which is in turn part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. If you’re interested in learning more about the history and geology of these Cascade giants, check out our article on Mount Rainier.

A Volcanic History

Mount St. Helens forged a name for itself with its eruption in 1980. The devastating event proved to be the deadliest and most destructive volcanic event in U.S. history. 57 people lost their lives, and the infrastructure of the Pacific Northwest was struck with devastation. The eruption destroyed countless bridges, railways, and interstates in the surrounding areas.

A powerful earthquake caused an avalanche of debris which lowered the summit of St. Helens by more than a thousand feet, leaving a vast, mile-wide crater in its place. This debris avalanche was more than half a mile thick as it careened downhill into the nearby inhabited lowlands. This devasted the local ecosystems of the region, killing untold volumes of wildlife in the nearby forests. The headless mountain remained volcanically active until around 2008 and has since become a popular year-round destination for hiking. Two years after the eruption in 1982, President Ronald Reagan established the volcano as a National Volcanic Monument.

Here and Now

If you’re searching for a place with history to explore the great outdoors, there is perhaps no better option than a visit to Mount St. Helens. There are hundreds of miles of hiking trails running around the base and sides of the volcano. Each offers staggering views of the surrounding alpine wilderness. If you’re a more serious climber, you may consider aiming for the summit. However, this does take a considerable amount of planning, gear, and coordination with others. If you want to take in the views without breaking a sweat, you can drive to Windy Ridge. It’s a scenic overlook near the top of the mountain, just a few miles from the volcano’s crater.

It’s a fantastic place to explore alone, with friends, or with family. The Pacific Northwest wilderness calls to us all from time to time, and one of the major perks of living here is our proximity to some of the most stunning geographical features on the planet.

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